Photography Director

LOCATION: NRA HQ, full-tome, M-F

SUMMARY: Manages photography studio operations and supervises the photography staff. Plans, schedules, coordinates and performs copy, studio and location photographic assignments, and produces various finished photographic products in both still and video, in primary support of the publications American Rifleman, American Hunter, and the NRA Publications websites. Performs similar duties in support of the photographic needs of other NRA divisions and the Board of Directors. Must be legally eligible to have access to firearms.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Recommends and implements Photography Department policies, systems, procedures and objectives with the approval of the Creative Director.
2. Supervises Photography staff and prioritizes assignments. Provides training as required. Maximizes productivity and experience levels by equitably dividing photographic assignments.
3. Develops a competent, well-trained and highly motivated staff capable of achieving department, division and association goals. Communicates established performance standards and provides feedback. Provides coaching and technical information.
4. Monitors progress of photographic work orders to their completion in accordance with known requester requirements.
5. Compiles and maintains Collateral Order forms for billbacks.
6. Performs copy, studio and location photography using a variety of still and video cameras, continuous source and/or strobe lights, and related support equipment under varying conditions and without direct supervision. Work must often be done under short notice and constrained schedule conditions.
7. Produces high-quality still and video files, including audio recording, editing, color correction, sharpening, sizing and enhancement, as needed.
8. Constructs/disassembles backgrounds, supporting sets, and various photographic equipment to include lifting, carrying and unpacking/packing of heavy and/or awkward equipment/materials.
9. Exhibits an open-minded, positive attitude when interacting with associates seeking photography services. Works to ensure that the requested photographic services are delivered in a timely manner and that the product is appropriate to the request.
10. Maintains high standards of quality for all photography and related services. Develops and implements quality control measures for studio operations and equipment, and for all photography services.
11. Produces high quality ink jet prints. Troubleshoots and maintains ink jet printers.
12. Performs the scanning of negatives, transparencies and printed material using a variety of scanner equipment and software.
13. Supervises the organization and maintenance of the Photography Department's photo filing system for digital images, slides, transparencies, prints, negatives and video files. Monitors filing system database for accuracy and integrity.
14. Interacts with photo requesters as necessary to ensure appropriateness of content and availability of final product.
15. Serves as technical resource on photography and photographic equipment for Publications staff.
16. Assists with and recommends plans for future direction of photography operation through equipment acquisition to meet stated and anticipated photo requester needs. Assists with the preparation of the annual operations and capital budget submissions for the Photography Department and monitoring of expenditures throughout the year.
17. Provides artistic expression in subject arrangement and lighting.
18. Maintains safe practices when working with all equipment, including firearms, and when performing heavy lifting and carrying.
19. Adheres to high standards of housekeeping. Duties include maintaining the general appearance of the studio and the proper storage of photographic equipment. Monitors condition of studio and photography equipment.
20. Extended hours may be required; travels as assigned.
22. Other duties as assigned.

SCOPE: Manages day-to-day studio operations and supervises photography staff. Coordinates with all levels of management and staff within NRA Publications as well as other divisions. Highly visible staff member during public events/functions when providing photographic coverage. Working environment ranges from executive offices to outdoors during severe weather conditions.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Bachelor of Arts degree in Fine Arts/Still Photography or relevant work experience. Formal course work in photography and video editing desired.) Minimum five years' management experience required. Minimum five years' experience in both still and video editorial photography, including studio and candid work, and Photoshop. (Editorial photography requirement may be waived if portfolio and interview demonstrate sufficient depth of knowledge and variety of photo subjects/situations.) Management experience required. Firearms knowledge required. Shooting sports and hunting/wildlife background desired. Salary budgeted at 88-90,000/year

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES: Ability to manage and lead a team of photographers in daily studio operations. Ability to inspire creative individuals to work together to meet unchanging deadlines. Strong interpersonal skills to accomplish the goals of the Photography Department, Publications Division and NRA. Diplomatic skills essential in dealing with authors, advertisers and the general public. Willing and able to learn and quickly become competent with new equipment and software as they become available. Ability to perform duties in a professional, courteous and helpful manner. Strong organizational skills required. Attention to detail mandatory. Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines and handle multiple projects simultaneously. Ability to work independently and without direct supervision. Ability to work from conceptual stage to final production of reproduction quality transparencies, prints, and digital and video files. Normal color vision required. Solid working knowledge of photographic equipment and accessories, and ability to operate digital and video camera equipment, as well as scanning equipment. Working knowledge of Macintosh operating systems, including Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom. Working knowledge and experience with raw digital photo files, the use of Meta data and video editing. Working knowledge of color management basics and standard office software. Ability to identify most common types of firearms and wildlife strongly desired.